West Chicago business to remove hidden heirloom during Blooming Fest

WEST CHICAGO – A heirloom left behind a marble stone on the facade of Rite-Way Automotive in West Chicago will be recovered as part of the downtown's garden festival and donated to the City Museum.

The memento was placed by the wife of the building's original owner, Mike Day, in 1951. Current owner Vince Malina's father had incorporated Rite-Way Automotive in 1971, and when Malina worked with the Historical Preservation Commission this time around, he remembered knowing about the heirloom back when his family closed the property in 1981.

The Historical Preservation Commission asked him to preserve the building's facade, triggering his memory of the memento placed by Jean Day.

The memento will be unveiled during Blooming Fest at 11 a.m. May 18.

Rite-Way Automotive is located at 101 E. Washington St. in downtown West Chicago.